WCF Nuggets v Lakers | Game 2 Recap

Nuggets 108 vs Lakers 103 | DEN leads series 2-0

Murray Flurry Leads Nuggets Past Lakers

The highly anticipated 2023 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 2 did not disappoint. The

Denver Nuggets faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in what proved to be an intense battle

for the win. The game was filled with highlight plays and impressive performances from both

teams.

In the end, it was the Denver Nuggets who came out on top with a final score of 108-103. The

game was neck-and-neck throughout, with both teams trading leads multiple times. However, a

clutch three-pointer from Nuggets' point guard, Jamal Murray, in the final moments secured the

victory for his team.

Murray was the standout player of the game, recording a double-double with 35 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals for a truly all around performance. He was 5-17 entering the fourth quarter and had mustered just 12 points. Then Murray and D'Angelo Russell had an

exchange early in the fourth, and Blue Arrow emerged.

When the dust settled, he had a Murray Flurry of 23 points giving him the all-time NBA record

for the most 20-point 4th quarters in the playoffs. Yes, more than Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant,

and Lebron James. He received ample support from his teammates, with two-time MVP Nikola

Jokic contributing a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists. Not to mention

Michael Porter Jr.'s 16 points/7 rebounds and Bruce Brown chipping in with 12 points, 5

rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block off the bench.

Despite the loss, the Lakers put up a strong fight and had several standout performers of their

own. LeBron James had a near triple-double with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, while

Anthony Davis recorded a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. But when AD is

outscored by Austin Reaves (22 pts) and Rui Hachimura (21 pts) you are not going to beat a

motivated Nuggets squad that doesn't know how to quit.

No matter how the Lakers grew their lead, it never really felt like they had control, immortalized

in the image of Lebron James literally fumbling away a breakaway dunk when he tried to get

fancy and windmill instead of just making sure it got stuffed. The "old man" was a step slow and

despite tying for the team lead in points with Reaves he was terrible from three where he went 0-

6 and none were close.

The Lakers were atrocious as a team going 8-30 from deep, an abysmal 26.7%. The Nuggets were below their standard but still respectable at 36.8% from three on 14-38 shooting. The biggest difference in both games has been the Nuggets being more physical and winning the battle of the boards with 49 rebounds to the Lakers 40 in game two. The Lakers will undoubtedly have to make some adjustments if they hope to turn things around

and avoid a sweep. The Nuggets, on the other hand, will be looking to keep their momentum going and close out the series on the road so they can get some rest before facing the winner

between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Many experts predicted that this would be a tough and closely contested series, but few could

have predicted the dominance that the Nuggets have displayed thus far. They have looked like a

well-oiled machine on both ends of the floor, with their offense firing on all cylinders when it

matters most and their defense playing with intensity and physicality.

One thing is for certain: this series is far from over, and there is still plenty of basketball left to

be played. Will the Lakers bounce back and make a series out of it, or will the Nuggets continue

their impressive run and advance to the NBA Finals? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain:

NBA fans are in for a treat with this thrilling matchup.

The national narrative can continue to try and push the Lakers should take heart from being up 2-

0 in moral victories. But the fact of the matter is like Coach Malone said "You put that in your

pipe and smoke, and you come back, and guess what. We are going up 2-0." This was somehow

twisted by some national pundits into something other than a disrespected coach and team stating

the facts. Even some pundits like Zach Lowe have said the quiet part out loud, but we are not

here for the low hanging fruit. We are here to highlight what happened, not what we want to

happen.

Both teams will now regroup and prepare for the crucial Game 3 as the venue shifts to

Crypto.com Arena, with the Nuggets in control of the series up 2-0. The stakes are high, and

tensions are sure to be even higher, making for a must-see game for any basketball fan.